katqanna
Well-known member
Unintended consequences of bovine brucellosis management on demand for elk hunting in northwestern Wyoming, 2012
Recent papers have been produced on the necessity of elk brucellosis eradication, which involves test and slaughter. As a result, there is an economic and hunter concern of how to spin this scenario, so more papers are being produced to advise the policy makers how to spin this. This is one such paper.
"For the final stage of our modeling effort, we simulated the effect of decreased elk populations (a plausible outcome of brucellosis management) on elk license demand...brucellosis management strategies on elk populations in the GYA...thus, a test-and-slaughter program that effectively removed all seropositive elk would also have impacts in the 10 to 50% range...simulated elk population decreases of 10 - 50%."
"The effect of elk population is insignificant, however, for NSE applicants. Hunters applying through the NSE draw are likely to hunt with an outfitter, and may, therefore, be less sensitive than other hunters to small changes in elk population. Additionally, NSE applicants may be more likely than NRE applicants to apply for licenses in areas with high elk populations because they can afford the higher cost of outfitted hunts in these desirable areas."
"Resident hunters are most responsive to decreases in elk population, which may reflect their ease of relocating to other hunt areas, both within and outside the study area. Resident hunters are likely more familiar with potential hunting sites and might therefore be more willing to transfer their hunting experience to another site. Alternately, potential resident hunters may choose not to participate in hunting at all if they perceive insufficient elk populations."
"If a 50% decrease in elk population occurred, the decrease in WGFD license revenue alone would be nearly $83,000."
"Additionally, the positive effect of outfitters suggests that increasing the proportion of outfitted hunters (e.g., by issuing more nonresident licenses) may be a means of increasing harvest and meeting elk population objectives in overpopulated hunt areas. It also suggests that 1 response of hunters to lower populations could be to hire an outfitter and, thereby, offset some of the negative effects on harvest success of population decreases."
"Results of the analysis indicate that a change in brucellosis management could result in a considerable loss of applicants for Wyoming elk licenses. Elk population decreases would also last multiple years, which implied additive losses over time.
Nationwide, hunting participation for many wildlife species is declining. Measures of hunter recruitment and retention indicate that young hunters are not being recruited into hunting, and older hunters are no longer hunting due to time constraints and shifting priorities. Hunters who participate only sporadically in the sport are more likely to disassociate from hunting entirely, resulting in a loss to the hunting community. A decrease in active hunters reduces the ability of wildlife management agencies to manage wildlife populations and decreases revenues from license sales and excise taxes. This reduces funds available for myriad programs, including nongame or endangered species management and habitat improvement. A better understanding of the factors that influence demand for hunting may enable agencies to take proactive measures to recruit and retain hunters in the face of proposed brucellosis management strategies."
These are just some of the wonderful highlights of this study that advised the policy makers. These papers are not just applicable to WY. And remember, seropositive does not equal infection. So if you are seeing an increase in non resident elk licenses, this could be why.
Recent papers have been produced on the necessity of elk brucellosis eradication, which involves test and slaughter. As a result, there is an economic and hunter concern of how to spin this scenario, so more papers are being produced to advise the policy makers how to spin this. This is one such paper.
"For the final stage of our modeling effort, we simulated the effect of decreased elk populations (a plausible outcome of brucellosis management) on elk license demand...brucellosis management strategies on elk populations in the GYA...thus, a test-and-slaughter program that effectively removed all seropositive elk would also have impacts in the 10 to 50% range...simulated elk population decreases of 10 - 50%."
"The effect of elk population is insignificant, however, for NSE applicants. Hunters applying through the NSE draw are likely to hunt with an outfitter, and may, therefore, be less sensitive than other hunters to small changes in elk population. Additionally, NSE applicants may be more likely than NRE applicants to apply for licenses in areas with high elk populations because they can afford the higher cost of outfitted hunts in these desirable areas."
"Resident hunters are most responsive to decreases in elk population, which may reflect their ease of relocating to other hunt areas, both within and outside the study area. Resident hunters are likely more familiar with potential hunting sites and might therefore be more willing to transfer their hunting experience to another site. Alternately, potential resident hunters may choose not to participate in hunting at all if they perceive insufficient elk populations."
"If a 50% decrease in elk population occurred, the decrease in WGFD license revenue alone would be nearly $83,000."
"Additionally, the positive effect of outfitters suggests that increasing the proportion of outfitted hunters (e.g., by issuing more nonresident licenses) may be a means of increasing harvest and meeting elk population objectives in overpopulated hunt areas. It also suggests that 1 response of hunters to lower populations could be to hire an outfitter and, thereby, offset some of the negative effects on harvest success of population decreases."
"Results of the analysis indicate that a change in brucellosis management could result in a considerable loss of applicants for Wyoming elk licenses. Elk population decreases would also last multiple years, which implied additive losses over time.
Nationwide, hunting participation for many wildlife species is declining. Measures of hunter recruitment and retention indicate that young hunters are not being recruited into hunting, and older hunters are no longer hunting due to time constraints and shifting priorities. Hunters who participate only sporadically in the sport are more likely to disassociate from hunting entirely, resulting in a loss to the hunting community. A decrease in active hunters reduces the ability of wildlife management agencies to manage wildlife populations and decreases revenues from license sales and excise taxes. This reduces funds available for myriad programs, including nongame or endangered species management and habitat improvement. A better understanding of the factors that influence demand for hunting may enable agencies to take proactive measures to recruit and retain hunters in the face of proposed brucellosis management strategies."
These are just some of the wonderful highlights of this study that advised the policy makers. These papers are not just applicable to WY. And remember, seropositive does not equal infection. So if you are seeing an increase in non resident elk licenses, this could be why.
